Mattress-stuffing machine



5 Sheets-Sheet 1,

(No Model.)

B. N. STEPHENSON.

MATTRESS STUFFING MAGHINE.

Patented Mar. 5

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(N0 Medal.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. N. STEPHENSON.

MATTRESS STUFFING MACHINE. No. 399,093. Patented Mar. 5, 1889.

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.Wkwom warm N: PETERS. FhcioLimognphcr, Washington. 0.6.

- (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

E. N. STEPHENSON.

MATTRESS STUPFING MACHINE. No. 399,093. Patented Mar. 5, 1889 2% flv- I 1% Q N k 1 N k .29". 1 Q 1 k s/ y a N. PETERS, Fholo-Lhhngraphw, Wnlingion. ac

(No Model.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

B. N. STEPHENSON.

MATTRESS STUPFING MACHINE.

Patented Mar. 5, 1889.

N. PETERS, PhutoLimagnphrr Washiflgiom U4;

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

E. N. STEPHENSON.

MATTRESS STUFFING MAGHINE.

No 399,093. Patented Mar. 5, 1889.

N, PEYERS. vnmu-Lim m kur. WAshkvgBom D c.

trnn Stains nrnnr ED'W'IN N. STEPHENSON. OF \VACO. TEXAS.

MATTRESS-STUFFING WIACFHNE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 399,093, dated March 5, 1889.

Application filed ingust S, 1888.

i extremity of Fig. 7.

It is the purpose of my presentinvention to I provide simple means whereby the dimensions of the pachingdmx, as well as the spout, 3 double pawl and the engagingwatchet,wheremay be readily increased or diminished, either vertically or laterally, to enable the operator to stull mattresses of varying sizes, whereby the dimensions of the packing-box and spout shall be at all times varied in the same rela live pro nn'tions.

It is also one purpose of my invention to provide a construction whereby the expansion of said parts shallbe made without danger of obstructing the gearing by which such expansion is effected with the material composing the stuffing, and to combine with the racks effecting the lateral expansion and contraction of the box means for supporting the separate sections of the top or lid, whereby those sections not. required shall be held out of contact with the laterally-adjusting racks.

To these ends the invention consists in the several novel features of construction and new combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, and then definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figurcl is a side elevation oi a mattress-striding machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. ,1, a portion of the frame being removed. Fig. I) is a vertical longitudinal section of Fig. Fig. l is an end elevation taken from the left hand of Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective of the compressiondmr removed from the machine. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective of the end bar of the packing-box, together with the upper section of the expanding spout detached from the machine and from each other. '7 is a detail perspective of the laterally-adjustable side of the packing-box, together with the lower section of the expansible fie-rial No. 232,224 lilo model.)

spout. the raclebars, and the restbar or support for the removable sections of the lid. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective oi": the rear end bar ol the packing-box upon which the lid, with the several separate sections thereof, is hinged. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective of one of the separate sections of the lid. Fig. 10 is a detail perspective of the plunger with one of its interchangeableheads. Fig. ll is ahorizontal section taken through the left-hand Fig. '13 is a detail side elevation of part of one of the standards at the forward end of the machine, showing the by the bar compressing the lid or cover is forced downward and held.

1n the said drawin the rcferenee-numerz'il l designates a reeiangularbox of any suitable width and length supported upon posts 2 and cross-bars 3. At one end of thisboxishinged a top or cover, 4., having its lngaring upon a bar, 5, supported in lugs thwhich project from the inner face of the rear end bar, 7, of the frame of the box. A portion of this hinged lid is composed of separable sections or slats 8, mounted on the bar 5 and united with the solid portion of the lid by a cross-slat, 9,which passes through keepers 10, on both the solid part thereof and the individual sections. The construction is such that by withdrawing this crossslat and substituting one of diii erent length one or more of the separable sections 8 maybe either disengaged from or united with the integral portion of the lid to increase or diminish its width. To eiiect a corresponding variation in the lateral dimensions of the box proper, one of its sides 12 is rendered adjustable by the means hereinafter described.

From the outer wall oi the movable side 12, passing through the short posts 14: of the boxframe extend racks, and with these racks mesh pinions 15, carried by a shaft, 16, having support in lugs on the standards of the frame. This shaft has a crank, 17,by which itmay be turn ed to th row the movable side inward or outward to vary the lateral dimensions of the packing-box. At the front end of the latteris placed and 20, composing the upper port-ion thereof, and the two sections 21 and 22, composing the lower portion. The section 1.) is rigidly mounted upon the front end bar, 23. The section 21 is rigidly fixed to the front end of the cross-bar 23 by means of bolts 2%, passing through flanges upon said sections, and the angular ends of these parts consist of a single plate, 19, upon the part 19, which lies between the duplex plate 2]. upon the part 21, free vertical movement of these ends being permitted when vertical adjustment is made, as hereinafter described. The sections and 22 overlap the rigidly-mounted sections 19 and 21, their angular ends 2O and 22 being of the construction already set forth.

Upon the front end bar, 23, is mounted a plate, 26, parallel with the outer face of the bar and having a narrow space betweemwithin which the flange 25 is inserted. Upon theadj ustable section 20 is formed a narrow flange, 27,which also lies behind the lower edge of the plate or keeper 26 below the bolts 2l, thereby permitting the lateral movem ent of the section 20. Upon the latter is also formed a loop, 28, rising over and engaging with the upper edge of the plate 26, to steady the sect-ion 20 in its movement. .Projecting from the end of said section is a plate or lug, 29,lying in the plane of the flange 27, and projecting rearwardly from said plate a plate, 30, having two double flanges, 231, for a purpose presently to be shown.

The end bar, 23,01"; the box is formed in two sect-ions, of which the upper section, 23,

is vertically adjustable, while the lower section, 23, is immovable. The latter is provided with a plate, 32, similar to the plate 26, upon the end bar-section, 23. Flanges upon the lower spout-sections, 21 and 22, engage the edges of this plate in substantially the manner already set forth in connection with the upper section. l'pon the duplex end piece, 22, is attached the head 33 of the raclc bar 34, which is connected to the end rack, 13, of the adjustable side 12. Connected with the head 33 by an arm, 35, is a block, 36, having slots 37, which receive the flanges 31 of the plate 30, the plate 29 lying in the space between the head 33 and the block 36.

In the end of the adjustable side 12 is arranged a movable plate, 37, having a lug, 39, hooked at its end, the hook 4O engaging a slot, L1, in the rear face of the section 23, which rests upon the top of the movable plate 38, the latter being held in place by an inner plate, 42, rigidly mounted upon the inner face of the adjustable side 12. Bolts 43 pass from the plate 29 through slots 41 in the head 33, and receive nuts on their outer ends, whereby the parts are held in place while vertical movement of the upper section of the spout is permitted, the bolts 4112-3 sliding in said slots 44. As the end bar-section, 2S, rises, the hook 40, running in the slot 4], draws the plate 38 up with it, thus closing the opening between the lower edge'of the end bar-section, and

the upper edge of the movable plate 38.

At the other end of the expansible spout a depending sleeve, 45, is formed upon the end bar, 23, embracing a block which may be substantially similar to the block 36. A similar sleeve, -16, is also formed beside the sleeve 45, a space being left between the two to admit the gate. The sleeve 46 embraces ablock, 47, similar to that engaged by the sleeve 45. Bolts CS project from the ends of the end barsection, 2", moving in slots l8in the uprights 49. The end bar, 23, is adjusted up and down by means of screw 50, journaled in lugs 51 on the standards 19, and having miter-gears 52, meshing with similar miters, 53, carried by a shaft, 5 having a crank, 55, by which it is operated.

In order to positivel y connect the'angular ends of the spout I form a series of apertures, 56, in the same, and when properly adjusted short pins 58 are inserted in said openings, engaging the duplex plates 21 and 22, and one of the series of openings 56 in the movable plates 19" and 20. These pins are formed upon and held in engagement by leaf-springs 59, mounted upon the ends of the lower sections, 21 and 22.

Moving in a slot, 66,111 the end barsection, 23, isa gate, 61, closing the end of the pressbox and rising and falling in the space between the inner fiange, 31, of the plate 30, and the edges of the two plates 38 and 42 on the side plate, 12, the opposite end of said gate moving between the two sleeves and 46. This gate is provided with arms 62, connected to a lever, 63, fulcrumed upon a dropbeariiig, 64, a cord, 65, being connected to the projecting end of said lever and carried over pulleys to the opposite side of the machine to render the gate operative from either side.

The pivot-bar 5, Fig. 8, extends from side to side of the press-frame, passing over the rear end of the movable side 12, which has a gain, 67, for that purpose, thus enabling the separable sections 8 to be removed and lie outside the plate 12. In order to prevent them when in this position from contact with the racks 1 .3, I form upon the latter a bar, 68, which connects also with theend of the rackbar 13, and is then carried inward parallel with said rack-bar and has its end attached to the side. The edge of this bar rises far enough above the racks to support the separable sections 8 free from the racks.

Between the standards 49 is arranged the presser-bar 69, having a plate, 70, the projecting ends of which enter slots 71 in the uprights. Rising from the ends of this bar are racks 72, meshing with pinions 73, carried by a shaft, 71, journaled in the uprights 49 and having a crank, 7 5, by which it is operated. The arrangement of parts is such that the presser-bar partly overlies the movable section 23 of the end bar and projects within the same to engage with the end of the cover IIO -l.. The hinged cover is raised by a windlass, '70, which operates a cord, '77, passing over a pulley, 78, journaled upon a central upright, 79. The windlass is connected to and dis connected from its shaft 80 by a clutch, S1, operated by a lever, *3, the latter being locked in position by a notched plate,

lVithin the press-box moves a plunger, 8i, having a tongue, 85, upon which is mounted a pinion, 87, the latter carried by a shaft, 88, driven by gears S and .10, from the windla The plunger-head is rendered of proper relatively to the press-box by the construction shown in Fig. 10, the head 91 being separable and provided with pins 92, a brace, 93, being attached to the end and provided with a tang engaging a recess, 94, in the plunger. An eye, 95, is formed upon the head to receive a rope or cord, 96,winding upon a windlass-drum, 97, which is clutched to the shaft 80 by the action of a shipping-lever, 98, to permit the simultaneous retraction of the plunger and raising of the cover by the same shaft.

The rearward end of the press-box is expanded and contracted vertically by means of the movable cross-bar 7, adjusted upon bolts 99, which lie in slotslOO in the ends of the bar. The adjustment is effected by means of screws 10]., meshing with apertures 102 in said bar, these screws being driven by mitcrs 103, actuated by a shaft, 104. An index, 105, on the end of the bar moves over a vertical plate, 1.06, graduated to sufiicientdis tances to enable the operator to obtain a like adjustment at both ends of the machine.

Before completing the description of the mechanical parts, I will point out the operation of those already described.

The press-box having been adjusted to the proper size, the cover l is raised, withdrawing the plunger, and a quantity of material is placed therein and suitably disposed. The cover t is then, lowered and its end brought under the presser-bar 69, which is lowered by the action of the shaft 74. IVhcn the free end of the cover has been depressed so far that it is two inches or more higher than the pivoted end, it is locked at that point by the double pawls 107 on the standard 4f! engaging the pinion 108 on the shaft Tl. The box is now (the end-gate 61 being dropped) in condition for pressing and forming the st-uffing, the raised forward end of the cover permittingthe plunger to exert an equal pressure upon all parts. The two Windlass-drums bein g therefore disconnected from their shaft, the plunger is operated until the stuffing is compressed to the proper degree. I'pon the spout the opened end of the tick is now placed, being drawn over said spent by successive folds, as shown in Fig. 3, until the closed end of the tick is brought up to the open mouth of the spout. L oniining-rolls 109, carried by arms 110, pivoted to the posts of the frame, are now brought down upon the tick both on top and underneath the spent.

The .ends of these rolls are connected by springs 111 to produce a snilicient pressure on the tick. The end-gate being new raised the shaft 74: is operated until the cover is brought into parallelism with the bottom of the press-box, which may be known by the presser-bar 69 striking the top of the end bar, 23. The plunger is thrown forward again and the entire mass of compressed stuffing is steadily passed. through the chute or spout into the tick, the latter being forced off the spent as fast as it is filled by the material, suitable tension being imparted by the rolls 109. The Windlass-drums are now clutched to their shaft, the plunger withdrawn, the cover raised, and the operation repeated. In adjusting the movable parts of the press-box and spout the leaf-springs 59 are drawn outward to remove the pins on their ends from the ends of the spout-sections, and small wedges 112, which hang by short chains, are inserted to hold them out of engagement.

. hen the adjustment is completed, the wedges it from sagging under the weight of the cover,

I provide a bearing, 113, having a slotted plate, 114, rising from it. This plate connects with the bar 79, which is bolted to the cross-beam 79 of the frame and drops low enough for its end to connect with the plate 114: by means of bolts 115, passing through the slots in the plate. These bolts are of course loosened when an adjustment is made.

In stuffing a large mattress the forward movement of the plunger produces a considerable draft on the cover by reason of the frictional contact thereof with the stuffing. To resist this draft, a bar, 116, is connected to the bar 5 and coupled to a post,-l1 7, on the frame.

Vv'hat I claim is 1. In a mattress-sinlling machine, the combination of a laterally-expansible press-box, a vertically-adjustablc and laterally-expansible box-cover, a spout connected with the discharge-month of the press-box, composed of two upper sections movable vertically and laterally adjustable, and two lower sections laterally adjustable and loosely connected with the upper sections, suliistantially as described.

In a mattress-sinfling machine, the com- ,bination, with a laterally-expansible pressi lowering the same, a spout formed in four overlappin sections adjustable one upon the other in ahorizontal and vertical direction, and means, substantially as described, for closing the spaces between the press-box and the month of the spout, substantially as de scribed.

3. In a mattress-stufiin g machine, the combination, with a press-box oxpansible laterally, and a vertieally-adjustable box-cover, of a four-part spout located at the end of said press-box and composed of two upper and two lower sections lapped upon each other, the two upper sections being movable vertically, and one upper and one lower section being movable laterally in unison with the laterallyadjustable side of the press-box, and means for so adjusting the spout-sections, substantially as described.

at. In a mattress-stuffing machine, the combination, with a press-box having a laterallymovable side, of a hinged cover composed in part of separable sections, one or more of 1 which may be united with the integral portion of said cover, the movable side being provided with rack-bars meshing with pinions giving lateral movement, and a rest-bar being connected to said movable side near one end, extended outward and supported by the end of one or more of said rack-bars to support the ends of the separable sections above the teeth of the racks, substantially described.

5. In a mattress-stuffing machine, the combination, with a press-box having alaterallymovable side, of a cover hinged upon a vertically-adjustable end bar, said cover composed in part of separable sections, and the screws mounted in fixed supports and engaging said end bar, said screws being rotated by a horizontal shaft carrying miter-gears which mesh with similar miters on the screws, substantially as described.

6. In a mattress-sh ning machine, the com bination,with a press-box capable of lateral eX- pansion and a vertically-adj ustable box-cover, of a spout composed of four sections over lapping and sliding upon each other, the two lower sections having at their outer ends upwardly-turned double plates betweenwhich the downwardly-bent ends of the upper sections lie, and removable pins passing through an opening in the double plates and through one of a series of openings in the downwardlyturned ends of the upper sections, substantially as described.

7. In a mattress-stuffing machine, the combination, with a press-box having one side wall adjustable laterally, and a vertically-movable box-cover comprising removable and replaceable sections to vary its width, of a spout located at the discharge-mouth of the press-box and comprising two upper sections movable vertically and laterally adjustable, and two lower sections laterally adj nstable and loosely connected with the upper sections, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have affixed mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

EDIVIN N. STEPHENSON.

\Vitnesses:

JAMES A. RUTHERFORD, GEORGE W. REA. 

